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Iwakiyama Jinja

One of 100 top mountains of Japan, Mount Iwaki is a beautiful mountain also called “Mt. Fuji in Tsugaru” for its beauty. The shrine situated at the foot of this mountain is Iwakiyama Jinja. It is the famous spiritual place in Hirosaki city, Aomori Prefecture, that is loved by local people from ancient times. It has a long history since its establishment on the summit of Mount Iwaki in 780. The main shrine building was built at the foot of the mountain later in 800. The approach to the shrine has a sacred atmosphere and also serves as a mountain trail. Visit here and you’ll be blessed by the spiritual power of Iwakiyama Jinja.

(Source: aomorikuma/Wikipedia)

Main Building with Delicate Carvings

The tori (gate) of Iwakiyama Jinja is located to face directly towards the summit of Mount Iwaki which is the object to worship of this shrine. The worship hall was rebuilt in 1640, while the main hall was rebuilt in 1694. They are decorated with delicate carvings and also known as “Nikko in Tsugaru” for their beautiful appearances equal to Nikko Toshogu in Tochigi Prefecture.

(Source: wantsu / PIXTA(ピクスタ))

Unique Komainu for Better Luck with Money and Love

To everyone’s surprise, the Komainu (shrine guardian dog statue) in Iwakiyama Jinja is standing on its hands. It is believed that you can have better luck with love and be blessed with a good match if you take a photo of this Komainu with your cell phone and use the photo as a standby display. Another Komainu located on the other side is facing upwards and believed to have divine favors in health and better luck with money.

(Source: show1218 / PIXTA(ピクスタ) )

Fall Tradition in Tsugaru: Oyama Sankei

Oyama Sankei is a festival where people get together and climb Mt. Iwaki, the symbol of Tsugaru, praying for a full harvest and peace to the household. People in each settlement at the foot of the mountain get together in white dresses and hold a banner flag to walk in a parade along the street. After visiting the main hall, they climb up to the shrine at the top of the mountain while chanting “Saigi, saigi,” the chants to pray for a full harvest.

(Source: どぷどぷどーぷ)

Address
27 Aza-Terasawa, Oaza-Hyakuzawa, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori
Contact No.
+81-172-83-2135
+81-172-83-2135
Access
From JR Hirosaki station, take a bus bound for Karekitai. Ride for 37 minutes and get off at Iwakiyama-jinja.
Opening Hours / Holidays
8:30-17:00
Official Website
Time Required
Admission fee

(Source: aomorikuma/Wikipedia)

Main Building with Delicate Carvings

The tori (gate) of Iwakiyama Jinja is located to face directly towards the summit of Mount Iwaki which is the object to worship of this shrine. The worship hall was rebuilt in 1640, while the main hall was rebuilt in 1694. They are decorated with delicate carvings and also known as “Nikko in Tsugaru” for their beautiful appearances equal to Nikko Toshogu in Tochigi Prefecture.

(Source: wantsu / PIXTA(ピクスタ))

Unique Komainu for Better Luck with Money and Love

To everyone’s surprise, the Komainu (shrine guardian dog statue) in Iwakiyama Jinja is standing on its hands. It is believed that you can have better luck with love and be blessed with a good match if you take a photo of this Komainu with your cell phone and use the photo as a standby display. Another Komainu located on the other side is facing upwards and believed to have divine favors in health and better luck with money.

(Source: show1218 / PIXTA(ピクスタ) )

Fall Tradition in Tsugaru: Oyama Sankei

Oyama Sankei is a festival where people get together and climb Mt. Iwaki, the symbol of Tsugaru, praying for a full harvest and peace to the household. People in each settlement at the foot of the mountain get together in white dresses and hold a banner flag to walk in a parade along the street. After visiting the main hall, they climb up to the shrine at the top of the mountain while chanting “Saigi, saigi,” the chants to pray for a full harvest.

(Source: どぷどぷどーぷ)